My uncle, at 50 years old, placed 4th overall in the Bird Ridge Mountain Run today. This race covers only three miles, but 3400 feet of brutally steep elevation gain. The Males Division winning time was just over 40 minutes to climb the peak. Barney clocked in at just over 42 minutes, and set a new time record for the 50 to 60 year old age group. Tim and I made it only half way up in about 50 minutes, before we moved to the side of the trail to make room for the runners who would soon be coming up. Soon, they appeared, steaming up the hill, breathing heavily, fine tuned bodies working, pain showing in their faces.
Meanwhile, while I was cheering Barney on, my grandfather, at 80 years old, started the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic today, a race crossing through 180 miles of Alaskan wilderness between two small towns; this years route goes from Chicken to Central. There are no established trails through this rugged wilderness and the rules are simple: Get from point A to point B, across mountain ranges, swamps, and big rivers, completely unsupported and self-sufficient, no gear drops, no roads, no checkpoints, and practicing minimum impact travel. The disclosure form is equally simple and a bit humorous. It reads:
"As usual, the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic has no money, no assets, and no insurance. The AMWC is merely suggesting an event location."
The location of the race changes every three years, ranging from 150 to 200 miles cross-country. Many of the years have seen winners making it to the finish in two days or less by barely sleeping and eating mostly butter. Yuk! In a few days, I will head to Central to see the racers into the finish.
I prefer Barney’s type of race, lots of pain over a short time period, rather then lots of pain over a long time period. That is, if you don't count all the training to be done before hand! Next year, I would like to run the Bird Ridge race, and a few other mountain runs, which means getting back in shape and starting to train by running up mountains. I'll let you know how it goes!
Barney, working hard to get to the top
What a view. Most of the racers were probably working too hard to notice it, though!
Meanwhile, here is the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic Route shown in the next two photos.
Choose any way you want to get from point A to point B (as long as it does not involve roads or motorized transport)
My grandfather and his race partner this year, Jerry Dixon
1 comment:
Those two men- old and older- seem to be holding each other up!! Or is it the beer pulling them down- hound dog
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